They're coming, they're coming to The Loft

Friday

Feb 1, 2013 at 3:15 AM

Portsmouth -- In April, two celebrated journalists take the stage at The Music Hall Loft for the popular Writers in the Loft series… First is award-winning journalist Blaine Harden with his New York Times bestseller ESCAPE FROM CAMP 14: One Man’s Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West. Get in the know with what Foreign Policy calls "one of the 21 books that will matter in 2012.”

Next batter up is Boston Globe sports columnist Dan Shaugnessy with a behind-the-scenes look at the Red Sox and Terry Francona in FRANCONA: The Red Sox Years. Published earlier this month, the book and its revelations have made headlines across all sports medias. Both writers’ events start at 7pm; tickets include the author presentation, moderated Q+A, beverage, book, and a book signing reception. Tickets go on sale to Music Hall members on Saturday, February 2, and on sale to the public on Saturday, February 16.

And this just in: Also visiting Writers in the Loft in April is Paul Muldoon. The poet visits as part of the Music Hall’s Portsmouth Singer-Songwriter Festival to read from his vibrant new collection of poems, THE WORD ON THE STREET: Rock Lyrics. This Portsmouth Singer-Songwriter Festival runs from April 17-21, bringing to town 23 singer-songwriters, legends, stars, and up-and-comers. Other performers include John Prine, Aimee Mann, Sharon Van Etten, Dirty Projectors…the list goes on! Passes go on sale to members 2/2 and on sale to the public on 2/16.

“We’re affectionately calling this ‘male month’ here at the Music Hall,” said Executive Producer Patricia Lynch. “We’re so thrilled to welcome these three authors, all remarkable men and writers — two top-of-their-field journalists and a Pulitzer-prize winning poet. Everything from sports world intrigue to foreign affairs high drama to rock n’ roll poetry is coming through our doors in April!”

Tickets and Signed BooksTickets to Writers in the Loft: Blaine Harden are $29 ($26 for members of The Music Hall and NH Public Radio). Tickets to Writers in the Loft: Dan Shaughnessy are $42 (members $39). Tickets to Writers in the Loft/Portsmouth Singer-Songwriter Festival: Paul Muldoon are $37 (members $34).

Writers in the Loft: Blaine HardenThursday April 4, 2013 7pm LoftBook: ESCAPE FROM CAMP 14: One Man’s Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the WestTicket package: $29 (members $26) Includes reserved seat, book ($15, paperback), bar beverage; author presentation, Q+A, and book signing meet-and-greet

In ESCAPE FROM CAMP 14, journalist Blaine Harden tells the shocking story of Shin Dong-hyuk, the only known person born in a North Korean no-exit camp to have escaped and survived. International #1 and New York Times bestseller, and named a “must read” by the LA Times! The book was an international #1 and New York Times bestseller, named a “must read” by the LA Times, and chosen by The Financial Times, The Christian Science Monitor, Slate and Library Journal as one of the year’s best books. It was the subject of a 60 Minutes segment and featured in editorials from The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Economist, and The Boston Globe.

Blaine Harden is an author and award-winning journalist who reports for PBS Frontline and contributes to The Economist.

In FRANCONA: THE RED SOX YEARS, Award-winning Boston Globe sports columnist Dan Shaughnessy tells the thrilling, inside story of legendary manager Terry Francona, who led the Boston Red Sox to fame. Join us at the Loft on this exciting night for Sox fans—or anyone interested in the art of leadership amidst great victories and challenges.

Dan Shaughnessy is a sports columnist and associate editor for the Boston Globe, as well as the author of the books At Fenway and The Curse of the Bambino.

“It’s not often that baseball aficionados and gossip gluttons can plunk down on a shared portion of outfield grass with the same book for an afternoon of readerly delight, but Francona can bridge those kinds of differences…”–The Boston Globe

This Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, professor and occasional rock guitarist has been described as “the most significant English-language poet born since the Second World War.” But Muldoon also has a passion for rock and roll, collaborating with the late, legendary songwriter Warren Zevon. In his new collection, The Word on the Street: Rock Lyrics, he offers little or no distinction between poetry and rock songs, finding common ground between W.B. Yeats, Buddy Holly, T.S. Eliot and Bruce Springsteen.

"The most sophisticated and original poet of his generation."–The New York Review of Books

“(His) poetry is quite stunning. Such a broad scope of work, deft and light of touch." –Pete Townshend

Access to Muldoon’s event is also available through purchase of a Festival Pass (see details below).

Singer-Songwriter Festival Gold Pass: $270 (EARLY BIRD to members 2/2, to public 2/16: $225)5 Day Festival Pass includes:Preferred seating & tickets to all concerts and events Exclusive access to all partiesExclusive pre-show access to lobbies

Singer-Songwriter Festival Silver Pass: $235 (EARLY BIRD to members 2/2, to public 2/16: $199)3 Day Festival Pass includes:Preferred seating & tickets to all concerts and events Friday-SundayExclusive access to all parties

All Writers in the Loft tickets include a reserved seat, book, bar beverage, author presentation, Q&A, and book signing meet-and-greet. Event tickets and vouchers can be purchased at The Music Hall box office in the Historic Theater, 28 Chestnut Street, Portsmouth or over the phone at 603-436-2400.

About Writers in the LoftWriters in the Loft is akin to The Music Hall’s anchor author series, Writers on a New England Stage, featuring well-known authors but in a smaller, more intimate space. It is produced by The Music Hall with Series Sponsor Citizens Bank and Companion Bookstore RiverRun in Portsmouth. The series brings audiences today’s top authors, and the best of fiction and nonfiction. Previous writers in the series include Andre Dubus III, Jennifer Egan, Stephen Greenblatt, Chris Bohjalian, Henry Louis Gates, Adam Gopnik and Susan Cain.

About The Music HallThe Music Hall is a performing arts center featuring curated entertainment from around the world in two theaters in its downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire campus - one, a landmark 1878 Victorian theater, the other the intimate Music Hall Loft around the corner, recently named "best performing arts venue" by Yankee Magazine and the recipient of the NH AIA award for design excellence. Acclaimed signature series bring top authors and artists to both stages, while HD broadcasts and independent film fill both screens. A radio show broadcast on NH Public Radio originates here. This dynamic arts center urges patrons to Explore + Learn via master classes, post film panel discussions, and matinees for children. An anchor cultural organization in this historic working seaport, The Music Hall is one of downtown Portsmouth’s biggest employers and largest contributors to the regional economy: The Music Hall and its patrons contribute $7 million annually to the local economy through show and visitor related spending. Innovative in its outlook, the organization is community oriented and committed to making the Seacoast flourish. The Music Hall is 501c3 nonprofit managed by a professional staff with the assistance of a volunteer board. Though global in the scope of its artists and programs, The Music Hall operates independently with the support of 3,000 members, 300 business supporters and 40 community partners. Welcoming more than 100,000 patrons (including 20,000 children) each year from the tri-state area and beyond, The Music Hall is the region’s center for the performing arts, literature and education…easy to get to, impossible to forget. www.themusichall.org